YWCA Gear Up: Giving Youth the Tools They Need for a Future in Bike Mechanics
YWCA Gear Up is an employment program for youth aged 15-30 that provides participants with certifications and employment connections to kickstart their careers in bike mechanics. The program has already hosted seven cohorts and is entering its second year, thanks to RBC Foundation funding.
Phoebe Chiu, a participant in the 6th cohort, started the program with low confidence, having lost her job during the pandemic and experiencing her longest period of unemployment. Phoebe found an opportunity in the program to grow her skillset by taking an unconventional route as a bike mechanic. As she went through the program, she was able to build her confidence back up and realized the opportunity to start her own business as a bike refurbisher, while also giving back to the community by volunteering for the Gear Up program.
“Expecting just a skills program, I was incredibly surprised by the amount of individual support and useful workshops they offered in addition to bike mechanics," said Pheobe. "The facilitators and instructors were all top-notch, and I particularly enjoyed the workshops on mental and physical wellness, as well as conflict resolution and communication. I felt supported and understood, and probably had the most fun in my life learning something!”
While an unconventional route, being a mechanic feels like the right fit for Pheobe, and she enjoys being her own small business owner. “I love the creative aspect of refurbishing vintage bikes, and I fully believe in upcycling rather than purchasing big-box store bikes that will only break down in a few years." As of now, Phoebe is setting up shop in her personal own garage, starting out with a couple of vintage mountain bikes, but plans to gradually expand her business and become known as a bike refurbisher, and as a creative.
In the meantime, Phoebe has found a way to give back to the community by becoming a volunteer in the very program where it all started. She is about to finish her first cycle of volunteering with Gear Up. “I am so grateful for the chance to share my knowledge and watch many other participants grow to become passionate and skillful mechanics.”
YWCA Gear Up is helping to supplement the need for professionals in the bike mechanics industry, which is in line with the proclamation of November 2022 as Apprenticeship Recognition Month, in 2019. This year, the government called British Columbians to learn more about the benefits of starting a career in skilled trades and its good-pay opportunities.
YWCA Gear Up would not be possible without the incredible support of the RBC Foundation that has been supporting the program with an annual donation of $50,000 since it started in 2019.
Interested in learning more about the program? Visit our YWCA Gear Up page or contact our team at gearup@ywcavan.org.
